Officially a Juris Doctor – A Graduation Story

“I wish that I could have this moment. For life, cause in this moment I just feel so alive.”

Ever get that feeling, that you’re exactly where you need to be right now, doing exactly what you were meant to be doing? That’s how I feel about everything right now. But I also get that feeling talking in court.

A few weeks ago, for the first time in a while, I was making an argument on the court record. I’ll admit I love the rush I get from advocating for a client in court. It’s always such a strong reminder of exactly why I went to law school in the first place.

Three years of law school has gone by in the blink of an eye. It’s been a hot mess of journey and every semester has been absolutely rough in some way or another. However, this past semester has been the most fun and I’ve been the happiest I’ve ever been in law school. Also, if you told me this is how everything ends up – I wouldn’t have believed you. If my law school journey can be summed up in three words, it would be: s***show, paradox, self-revealing.

“If you can’t handle me at worst, then you sure as hell don’t deserve me at my best.”

I couldn’t have made it without the support of a lot of friends and family – some who were there for the whole law school experience and some who only made an appearance on the journey. Some left at a point and then came back. Some of them will never actually understand why or what I’m doing or was doing during law school but are still supportive nonetheless.

Anyways, graduation festivities kicked off Wednesday night with a rooftop reception. It was a gorgeous night to be sipping wine and eating appetizers on the rooftop.

My dresses from Rent the Runway (referral link!) came in on Tuesday. Luckily I was very happy with my dresses. Also, I’m really happy and glad that I’ve been using BBG for these past few months #graduationdiet.

I LOVED THIS DRESS & my hair is so long!

The next day was graduation which was at 3pm at Lincoln Center. The weather absolutely sucked. I considered not getting my hair done because of the pouring rain and I got it done anyways. Even though the curls didn’t make it to 6pm, my hair still looked good (that’s all that matters right?).

Grand Central – I didn’t expect so many people on a Thursday but I guess I was wrongSo obvious my hair was falling flat

I was supposed to be at Lincoln Center at 1:30pm but I made it to Grand Central at 1:15pm for photos (originally we were told that gowns had to be taken immediately after graduation so do all family photos before – they totally lied lol).

I didn’t show up at Lincoln Center until 2:30pm…but still plenty of time to take more pictures with friends.

I generally hate graduation ceremonies because most graduations are just long and boring even if you’re graduating. Until Thursday, I’ve never sat through a commencement speech that I actually liked and remembered. At graduation, I loved all the speeches given. A lot of the student speeches and the speeches in general, had to do with overcoming adversity. I loved that there was a theme of changing the world in troubling times (cough Trump cough) as well as the theme that immigrants make America great.

Also, as an epic law nerd, I loved that Preet Bharara spoke at graduation.

If you don’t follow the news, he got fired by Trump in March. I loved his speech – hilarious at times, solemn at times but so on point and so inspiring.

Also, I was livetweeting graduation, including his speech. He totally retweeted me afterwards!

I’m such a law nerd…

After his speech, we got our degrees (well fake ones because the real Juris Doctor gets mailed out in a few weeks).

survived walking in 4 inch heels #winning

Then it was over….I have a Juris Doctor! Time to celebrate!

my hair clearly didn’t make it through the day (stupid rain) also I was so hungry throughout the ceremony – yes, that’s just an appetizer.

In sum, bar prep sucks but for the first time in a long time, I’m pretty damn happy about where I am right now and the path that I’m on. At the end of the day, I’m not sure how this story will play out in the next six months or even the next year but I’m excited to find out.